At Dewitt Public Schools, the kids in middle school choir sing to an accompanist that's paid for by boosters. With Michigan schools facing additional cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, Dewitt's budgeting long-term with the idea that more trimming like that will have to happen. Some staff members who are retiring will likely not be replaced and programs and activities will also probably take a hit. Dewitt Public Schools Superintendent Tina Templin says, "We're anticipating that the state is going to need to cut us an additional $268.00 that on top of the $165.00 pro-ration that we received last fall."

There's more tough news for schools. The SOS or Save Our Schools group's most recent survey is being called "The Survey of Pain". It shows that school districts across the state will face even more than the $268.00 in per pupil cuts if the legislature and governor don't act.

Executive Director of Michigan School Business Officials David Martell says, "The schools will not only have a $268.00 per pupil reduction in revenue, but....the retirement changes we're having are going to cause districts to incur about another $150 to $160 per pupil in additional costs we didn't have last year. So, when we take a look at that, we take a look at schools trying to absorb in some way or another about $400.00 per student which is huge."

SOS says that could mean the equivalent of bankruptcy for some schools. Martell says, "We would expect the number of deficit districts by the end of 2010-11 should these cuts go through would be about 60 or 80 schools."

The superintendent at Dewitt says they need something to change at the state level and they are encouraging residents to call their lawmakers. Templin says, "I would encourage each and every parent and each and every school person to seek out legislators and ask them to fix this funding formula that is broken."

SOS is a coalition of 16 school organizations ranging from the Michigan Association of School Boards to the Michigan Parent, Teacher and Student Association. The group says its mission is to shed light on the financial crisis that has befallen school districts across the state. Martell says more than 300 districts responded to the "Survey of Pain".

The survey also shows:

86% of districts expect additional teacher and staff layoffs in the 2010-2011 academic year

85% expect class size will continue to grow, resulting in less individual interaction between a student and teacher.

21% percent of school districts expect to close at least one school building in the coming year.

SOS says the cuts will be on top of the 3,000 teachers, administrators and support staff already laid off this year. Officials with SOS say that without a quick injection of cash to schools, almost 4,000 additional layoffs could occur in the near future.

SOS says it does support Governor Jennifer Granholm's proposal to reduce the sales tax from 6% to 5.5% and expand the tax to cover a broad array of services such as haircuts, lawn care, dry cleaning, legal services and tickets to sporting events. The additional revenue would be in the amount of about $400 million. They say that should be earmarked exclusively for K-12.

SOS also says it supports the governor's proposed reforms of the retirement system for school employees that is run by the state. Her proposal offers incentives for retiring and would reportedly force 46-thousand teachers and state employees into retirement, or they would have to pay more for benefits. SOS says the problem they have is that they've heard nothing from the legislature and they really need to get into gear or schools will be in trouble for 2010-2011.